Introducing Spencer!

Ah, Spencer. This is a guy who has been around PUMP quite a lot while he puts in his time at Cascade College. He is a laid back, funny dude, with a humongous heart for Jesus. Spencer will be a great asset to PSP this summer!

Update: And Heather! She's the Can o' Soup. Heather's been around PUMP a lot, too, mostly with Spencer. Her summer plans got highjacked at the last minute, which we were kind of glad about because that meant she could be with us!



Spencer is the jack-o-lantern :-)

Introducing Amy!

Amy is an Oregon native who will soon be finishing up her undergrad career at Abilene. Amy has a great love for children which shows in her vast experience with kids. She also has a deep love for cross-cultural ministry, and she plans to use these two areas of passion in the Peace Corps in the future. We are glad to have Amy on the team!

Introducing Jake

Jake is a fun-loving, laid-back California guy who has spent a good amount of time with PSP and PUMP leading up this summer. We know the kids will be latched on to him from the start, so we look forward to seeing how he manages! We are really glad he is going us this year.

From Our Housing Guy at Concordia...

Just wanted to update you on housing for your group.
Apartment 305 (2 person apartment for married couple)
East 302 (for 2 females & just down the hall from the apt.)
East 404 (for 3 males. Just up the stairs from the girls)

We have some furniture from check out that we’ll place in the rooms to provide some added sitting space. The guys on the 4th floor may want to look into getting an air conditioner for the summer too. I received the insurance so, you’re all set. We’ll see you in June. Let me know if you have questions.

I Don't Feel Like I Have Many Contacts For Fundraising. What Should I Do?

First of all, tell Kristi what your financial needs are for the summer. Are you desperate to raise all that you can or is it just a bonus to have extra pocket cash? I just ask in order to know how much direction and effort we need to make together. Here's a few fundraising thoughts...

First, don't decide for anyone else whether or not they can afford to partner with you in this ministry. If they don't want to or can not give, then let that be their decision. You present them with the opportunity by giving them a letter!

PSP is a perfect opportunity to get funds from non-Christian contacts as well. With a little tweaking to your letter, anyone is drawn to helping poor little urban children! So if you have any non-Christian friends or relatives, go ahead and ask them to support you. You may be surprised.

You must have some personal contacts whom could give to you. Start with those who wrote such glowing reviews of you! Teachers, co-workers, club sponsors... The more you ask the greater chance you will have of getting the funds you need.

What Kind of Clothes Should I Bring?

Portland is a casual place. Really, I don't think there is anything you could wear that would look out of place in this city! We have a reputation for being rain-soaked, but you probably won't see much of it this summer. It'll get pretty warm (80s-90s), so you'll want shorts, t-shirts, & sandals for most PSP days. You'll probably want to take outings to the coast and we will have a retreat in the mountains, so bring jeans, sweatshirt, and decent boots or shoes.

PUMP church is a true come-as-you-are place. If you are more comfortable dressing up for church, that's great. If you want to wear shorts & a t-shirt, that fits, too.

As for PSP, youth group rules apply. Only positive messages displayed. No bikinis, please - yes, even for you guys. :-) You need to be kid-active and remain modest. Do some deep knee bends, bend over, run around the room - anything showing that will cause a fifth-grade boys to over-use their imagination? Cover it.

What Are the Transportation Options?

Interns often like to have a bike or some other easy form of transportation, especially if they are without a car. A bike can be brought or you can find one on Craigslist after you get here. Concordia is less than a mile from PUMP, so it is an easy bike ride (or even walk). We have a really great mass transit system in Portland, so you'll be able to get downtown and around with ease. Interns often like to go on bigger outings on Friday & Saturday - the beach, Seattle, camping, etc. You'll need a car for those type of things. With gas prices as they are, everyone should be conscious of sharing transportation costs with the car-owners. The PUMP van is available to interns for work-related outings and errands.

What Do I Need to Bring?

There is nothing that you have to bring for the internship itself. If you want to bring things that you enjoy doing with kids - balls, jump ropes, - you are welcome to, but we have or can purchase those things.

For your living arrangements, you will be in a pretty bare apartment. There should be all the furniture you need. If it needs any lamps or anything like that, we can always make a Goodwill run. The rooms will need to have added: bedding, towels, dishes, cookware, food, coffeepot, clocks, pitcher, tupperware, baggies, foil, t.v., dvd/vcr, fan, paper towels, dish towels...

We are more than happy to help gather a lot of this together through church members donations and some Goodwill runs. But if you have anything that you are particular about or could bring along, that would be great.

Other things you might want to bring: toiletries, Bible, journal, camera, laptop, books, spending money

What Days Should I Fly In & Out of Portland?

As for dates, I'd fly in on the 7th, so you can be good to go for church on the 8th. Church on the 10th is your last official showing. I'd say any flight after 2:00 p.m. on the 10th would work fine.

How Will Donors Be Tracked?

As soon as I get your first check, I will make a google spreadsheet for you. You will receive an "invitation" for that online spreadsheet with log in info. I'll update that spreadsheet as funds come in; you will always have access to it to see where your bottom line is. Be sure to send thank you notes to your donors! You could track those on the spreadsheet, too, if that would help.

Introducing Raleigh - intern

Raleigh is from Goodlettsville, TN and will be attending Lipscomb in the fall for his fourth year of college where he is studying Bible. Raleigh considers himself "very laid-back, very apt to 'go with the flow,' and very flexible". He desires to pour out himself this summer as he works with the kids at PSP. For those of you who know our beloved Kami, she has worked hard to get her friend Raleigh out her to work with us, and we are thrilled to have him!

Someone Wrote a Check to Me Personally Instead of PUMP, What Should I Do With It?

You can go ahead & mail any checks received to PUMP, so that the donor can receive a receipt and tax deduction for it. It will be posted on a google spreadsheet that will track all of your donors.

Introducing Josh & Katina

This is Josh & Katina Harrelson - our PSP Coordinators for 2008. We are so excited to have them working with us this year, and PSP will be greatly blessed by their leadership and gifts. They come to us from New Mexico, where Katina is a teacher and Josh is pursuing his Master's Degree in education.

On the PUMP website it says that the internship is from June 1st-August 10th, is that for this year?

We decided to cut back by one week, so the internship dates are from June 8 - August 10.

What Days Do Interns Work?

The intern week runs Sunday through Thursday. Sundays you will go to church with PUMP. In the afternoon you will do orientation with the youth groups and help them get ready for the week at the PSP site. Monday through Thursday are the program days. There will be some evening events that you will need to attend. Friday and Saturday are your days off. There may be exceptions when we have a retreat, prep, or other special events, but most of the time anything planned for those two days will be optional. You will find yourselves enjoying the great Northwest on your days off together. You may choose to hang out with a PUMP family - but that will be up to you.

Is it High Time to Start Raising Money? Is There Any Certain 'Way' People Go About Doing That? Any Suggestions?

Fundraising is not the big, bad beast that many people fear. You are experiencing a great community service opportunity with beautiful urban youth. Many people would love to experience such a summer, but circumstances do not allow for it. You are allowing them the opportunity to partner with you on this great work. When they send you money, you are sharing in this ministry with that person. It is a blessing for people to share their monetary gifts with you. Ask freely - don't decide for others whether or not they can or will give.

As soon as you are accepted as an intern, you can begin fundraising. I will send interns a packet with tons of fundraising information, as well as sample letters.

What Does the Meal Situation Look Like for Staff?

Staff is provided breakfast & lunch on program days. There are other occasions when PUMP will take the PSP staff out for a meal. Otherwise, weekends & dinners are on your own. Your apartment should have a fully equipped kitchen. The PUMP family will work to loan you or get kitchen supplies that are needed - unless you want to bring your own.

How Many Interns Will There Be?

We take "the right number" of interns each year. It is more important for us to have the right fit of interns than to have a certain number. We generally have between 5-8 interns.

Does PSP Provide Meals for Kids?

We receive free lunch for the kids through the federal lunch program.

How Big Are the Youth Groups?

We divide much of the program into two age groups - 1-3 & 4-6. We have either one large youth group or two smaller groups for each of the age divisions. It would be great if we have 20 youth with 4-5 adults per group. Sometimes we have much less than that; on occasion we will not have a youth group signed up for one week (or a group drops out), so we (PUMP & interns) cover that week. I believe we have almost all of our weeks already filled for 2008.

Do the Same Kids Attend Each Week?

Kids sign up for the entire summer. If they let us know that they will be gone for a certain week with a good reason (e.g. family vacation), their slot will be held. Otherwise, if they miss twice in one week without a good excuse, they lose their spot in PSP. We're not terribly strict about attendance, but we want kids to be consistent and not just attend on field trip days!

How Many Kids Come to PSP?

The PSP team determines each year the number of kids that will be accepted based on our facility and needs. Due to the great reputation of this program, each year we have to turn away kids. We are looking at being in an elementary school again this year, which will allow us an increase in numbers (we have been in church buildings the last few years). I would guess we'll have around 100 kids who have completed grades 1-6.

What Does a Day at PSP Look Like?

On most Saturday evenings you would meet the incoming youth group and get them settled at Cascade College. On Sundays, you will attend PUMP for worship. The afternoon is spent in orientation with the youth group and set-up for the upcoming week at the PSP site. Monday through Wednesday, you start the day with a devo & breakfast with the youth group. Kids start arriving at 9:00. There is group assembly time, then reading groups. These are small groups led by volunteers from the local area, interns, and youth group leaders. After lunch is the VBS time led by the visiting youth groups (each week a different group or two come as their mission trip). The day ends with afternoon activities - crafts, outdoor sports, or a special event (e.g. magician) and then the final large assembly of the day. Kids are picked up at 2:30-3:00; then we clean & debrief. Thursdays, we move the VBS portion to the morning and do not have reading groups; the afternoon is spent on a field trip - bowling, water park, science museum, etc. Friday & Saturday are your days off.

Should We Fly or Drive?

It is highly advantageous for you to drive. It is not required for interns to have their own car here, but there will be lots of excursions that you will want to take. The PUMP van would be available for work use, but you would not have the freedom you might desire.

Where Do Interns Live?

Our interns live in the dorms at Concordia University, a Christian college located about one mile from PUMP. Last year was the first time we housed interns there, and they all loved it. It is close enough to be really involved with PUMP families and the church, but far enough to step away when needed. Everyone has their own room in a suite, which again is a great thing for all. It is always great when a few interns have their own cars for independence and the always planned day trips to the beach or Seattle or whatever. The PUMP van is available for work use as well. Portland has a great mass transit system and is also very bike-friendly.

Tell Us About the Church There

PUMP Church of Christ is a truly unique place. We meet in a two-story house (google maps) in a residential neighborhood in Northeast Portland. This neighborhood has historically been the most racially- and ethnically-diverse area of Portland. Now the area is being changed by an influx of younger white couples who can afford the outrageous housing prices. Our church has probably fifty or so on a given Sunday. We are comprised of a lot of young white families (with a gazillion kids) who have transplanted or commute in. We then have "community" people who come - single adults or kids (mostly black) who ride in on the PUMP van. Financially we range from a man who lives in his van with his five dogs to an empty-nest couple whom I imagine make well into six digits. Our church is really, really relaxed. We often hear how people feel very welcome here - no matter their station in life, or clothes, or whatever. It is a place where people are truly loved, no matter what. It is a child-oriented congregation; our services are made to be kid-friendly. That naturally lends itself to a bit of chaos, noise, and fun. There are a few teens that come sporadically, but there is no formalized youth group to speak of. We are working on how to grow with our kids. At this point, we lose many after junior high.

To clarify, PUMP church and PSP are two different entities. There are some kids who are at both, but that's not the rule. PSP is made up of almost all black (& a few Hispanic) children; the only white ones are from PUMP's transplant families (like my kids). PSP has a great reputation as a quality program in this community. We get a lot of kids who are actually involved in other community churches. After eight years, we have built up some great relationships with some of our PSP families.

*BTW, it feels a bit odd to use so much racial descriptors, but I want you to have a clear picture of what life looks like here.

How Many Interns Do You Take?

We generally have between 5-10 interns. It varies depending on the length & size of the program for that year; more importantly, it depends on who applies - we only take those who will be a great fit. This year so far we are talking with some great candidates from ACU, New Mexico, and Cascade college. Along with our interns, we have a Coordinator who works full-time for the summer on PSP.

PSP Internship Site!

We are using this blog to talk about all things related to PUMP Summer Program. As candidates send us questions, we may post the answers here in order to give a more clear picture of who PUMP is, what PSP looks like, what fun things there are to do in Portland, and all of that. Looking forward to putting together another great internship team for this summer!